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Regular Wantage Ride - Buscot Park Special |
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Leader:Steve Swanton |
Start Time:9:00 am |
Start Location:WMS |
Description:Wantage hosted joint DA ride. Note the earlier than normal start time. Ride to Aston Pottery for coffee & meet up with other Sections. Lechlade for lunch then spend the afternoon at Buscot Park. Entry fee |
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Riders:Amanda SeddonBarbara Muritu Diane Stuckey Ellen Lee Eve Thornton Gary Woodhead Helen Beane Helen Dorsett James Dawton Jane Bruffell John Holding Kevin Fairs Marion Jones Martin Cresdee Mavis Rose Nick Box Nigel Stuckey Rex Belcher Richard Divall Robert Bley Roger Payn Stephen Lee Stephen Quartermain Steve Bruffell Steve Swanton Teresa Belcher Riders = 26 Report:Today's ride was the fifth of our Section-hosted DA rides to a place of interest, and was undoubtedly the most successful to date. 30 riders took part (those on left plus Andrew, David, Andrew & partner from Oxford) on what was the hottest and most glorious day of the summer so far.12 riders assembled for the early start in the Market Place and we picked up Steve B and Diane, on tandem, plus Jane, as we passed through Grove. Helen was joining us for her first Sunday ride with her newly upgraded gears (which she didn't need, as this was one of the flattest rides of the year!). We took the direct route to Aston Pottery via Charney Bassett and Buckland, arriving just as they were opening up and just before City Section. We were soon getting through the cafetieres of coffee and the pots of tea. We split into 2 groups for the ride to Lechlade, James taking the first and I the second. We actually succeeded in mixing everyone up! We looped out through Alvescot and Kencot to Filkins then on to Fyfield and Southrop. It was just gorgeous. Despite our early arrival in Lechlade, the Riverside Inn was already filling up so a group of us headed to the New Inn for lunch. So we were spared the heart-stopping spectacle of the lads diving off the bridge into the Thames. From lunch it was a short ride to Buscot Park. Cycling up into the shaded driveway flanked by an avenue of mature trees was a definite highlight of the day. Some decided to head home, but most stayed to wander around the gardens, much of it in welcome shade. Most paused to "observe" the fountain in the middle of the walled-garden, before heading down to the water garden and lake beyond. Marion cycled out from Wantage to join us for tea which we took in the frescoed tearoom (the cakes were excellent) and then cycled back part of the way with us. After an enjoyable 2-hour visit, we headed back to Faringdon along the A417. Steve & Diane now up to speed on the tandem shot off into the distance pursued by David (a newcomer with City Section) and Kev. The remnant of the City contingent left us at Fernham and just 7 die-hards completed the led ride back to the Market Place. We took in our first hill en route at Kingston Lisle. Steve B and Diane were found gulping for air but smiling at the top, having been unable to engage the small chain ring until they reached the top. (Two more hooked on this tandem lark!). Steve S. What a way to start Cycle week! My first ride on a tandem and 80 kilometres covered as stoker to Steve B, who did most of the hard work on the front. Thanks Steve for a great ride; I am totally hooked. Jane, Nigel you have no idea what you are missing. Diane | ||
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